Chapter 21: Dead Meat
As Happy and the others escape the Dirty Delinquents' takeover of the stadium and on the way to rescue Moody and Eve, they are now in pursuit by them. Most of the fighters from the Pokken Arts Stadium had been captured and will arrive at the main base within the hour. Zamenza and Unhaus were in pursuit of their own intentions while leaving Happy and the others behind but each had hostages to reveal the organizations' bases.
Back where Happy and the others were, they had Honori, a Mutant Pokemon pet who was flying from a long way to get to Baye and warn her about what happened to her parents. To Baye especially, this was strange due to Honori usually being around her parents more. To Happy and the others, seeing Honori was a curious sight to behold.
Tanner: Is that a Mutant Pokemon?
Baye: Yeah. This is Honori. He's my family's pet Marokrow.
Honori cawed in response before preening his feathers.
Mr. P: How nice. A pet Mutant Pokemon.
Charles: What's a "Mutant Pokemon"?
Baye: They're far different from us. Mutant Pokemon are considered to be wild beasts that have various unusual appearances and usually aren't capable of speaking our language.
Happy: What does "various" mean?
Tanner: It means several. In other words, there are a lot more creatures than just this Marokrow we're seeing. Some large and small, cute and terrifying, that kind of stuff.
Charles: Amazing…
Happy: That might explain the weird Oddix we encountered some time ago. Remember, Charles? And Baye also saw one too!
Tanner: Wait, what?!
Baye: *groans* ...Don't remind me…
Tanner: Sometimes you creatures surprise me. I heard that Oddixes are rampant around spring and summer.
Lydia: Leechados are usually rampant around here, but it's breeding season for them, so they're elsewhere.
Mr. P: But there are dangerous Mutant Pokemon all over the world. It's not easy to fend one off if you don't know what you're doing.
Happy: How so?
Lydia: Well, unlike us Pokemon, Mutant Pokemon have something called an "inverse weakness". In other words, fire hurts water in their world.
Charles: I guess that explains it, then.
Mr. P: Miss Baye, you said that this is your pet Marokrow right?
Baye: Yeah.
Mr. P: Why is it here?
Baye: Huh. Good question. Usually he hangs around my parents, mostly my father. Did something happen to them, Honori?
He cooed sadly in response, to which Baye was now worried. Luckily, they had someone who could already speak the creature's language which was Lydia. However, her face was worried, knowing what Honori said.
Lydia: ...It said that your parents were taken hostage by the Dirty Delinquents.
Baye: W-What?!
Tanner: No…
Honori cooed in a worrisome tone, confirming Baye' fears.
Mr. P: ...I'm so sorry, Miss Baye.
The tied up Altaria grew annoyed, wondering why he was still here.
Altaria: Why am I still with you idiots?! Can somebody please kill me?!
Baye: M...Mom...Dad…
Her eyes teared up, which was something Tanner didn't want to see from her.
Tanner: *growls angrily* Dammit! How far will they go in their endeavors?!
He then looked to the Altaria in response. His eyes were of fierce anger as he walked towards him.
Tanner: Tell me!
Altaria: Tell you what?! I'm a hostage!
Tanner: Who cares?! What goal does this organization have?!
Altaria: What do you think?! We're ridding of your stupid societal order!
Tanner: "Ridding it", my foot!
Lydia: Mr. Tanner, just calm down. We'll get nowhere if we're using emotions in the process.
Tanner seethed for a moment before calming down.
Tanner: ...You're right.
Mr. P: Miss Baye, we'll get your parents back.
Baye: ...Okay…
Lydia: We're almost there.
The group looked up to see a small island filled with trees and the like. It wasn't much further as the island was drawing closer by the second.
Tanner: Is that it?
Altaria: Yeah. Can I go now?
Tanner: ...Not yet.
Altaria: Aw come on! You're not making any sense at this point!
A minute later, they docked on the island. Lydia was unable to come along due to her not being adapted to land so she dove underwater to hide herself. Tanner dragged the Altaria along...for whatever reason…
Altaria: Hey, man! I never asked to be a part of this! What did I even do to warrant such a thing?!
Tanner: Shut up!
Altaria: No I won't! I demand to know why I'm being tagged along and still tied up like a chained ragdoll!
Tanner then wrapped vines around his mouth to silence his voice, although the Altaria kept mumbling angrily.
Baye: You know, he has a point.
Tanner: Sorry Baye, but we can't take any chances. Besides, if we're going into the base, I'd like for them to surrender so long as we have one of their members as a hostage.
Mr. P: Mr. Tanner...What if they care less about him?
Tanner: Then more power to them.
Baye: (...Tanner, what's gotten into you…?)
Happy: We're going to kick some dirty butt!
Charles: I can't wait!
Tanner: ...Happy...Charles...I must caution you both. The Dirty Delinquents are no joke. They're stronger than you think.
Happy: Alright!
Tanner: I'm dead serious! They're armed to the teeth with their technology!
Baye: Wait a minute...You said that you didn't know them very well.
Tanner: I don't know them personally, but I do know that they have technology that is considered advanced.
Mr. P: Wait, so you were part of them before?
Tanner: I was. Long ago. But I'm not anymore.
Mr. P: So how strong are they without technology?
Tanner: They aren't a paramilitary group for no reason. Even a Junior member can cause trouble for us.
Baye: They're that troublesome?
Tanner: Very.
Happy: Mr. Tanner, what's "technology"?
Tanner: ...I'll explain that later. Right now, let's preserve that energy towards the Dirty Delinquents.
Happy: Alright!
Baye: (...Mom...Dad…)
...
Back where Zamenza and Moby were, they landed on the island where the Scrafty told them to go. For Moby, he stood at the shore due to him not being suited for land, leaving Zamenza alone with the Scrafty as a hostage. The island itself had only a few huts made out of metal and thick trees to hide them.
Zamenza: So this is their base. Your organization is pretty clever to hide itself.
Scrafty: Don't try to gain sympathy with me, old man.
Zamenza: Who's sympathizing with you?
Scrafty: Go take a shit, old man.
Zamenza: I already did earlier.
Scrafty: ...You smell stink anyway.
Zamenza: Nah. It's the old man's smell.
Scrafty: More like "rotting corpse" smell.
From afar, some platoon members with hooded cloaks concealing their faces came out and spotted Zamenza along with the Scrafty. One of them shouted..
?: Hey! Who are you?!
Zamenza: Oh, me? Well, I'm just an old man looking for his best friend.
They then pulled out guns and pointed them at Zamenza. However, he wasn't worried one bit.
Zamenza: I see your response is violence. However, I have one of your members hostage.
He pulled the Scrafty from behind and placed him in front.
Zamenza: I want to get to the main base without a fight, if you're willing to point me in the right direction. However, do the opposite and his life will be on the line.
?: You monster! How could you do such a thing?!
Zamenza: ...Irony.
Scrafty: Don't worry about me! Kill this old fart!
?: *growls* ...You've come to the wrong place, then. We aren't knowledgeable on where the main base is other than a few others around here, so tough luck.
Zamenza: I get the feeling you're lying to me. Maybe I should put every one of you down with one spoon.
?: Fool! You dare lay your hands on the Dirty Delinquents?! Especially since we're trying to liberate the world from tyranny?!
Zamenza: What "liberation" are you creatures talking about? The only "liberation" I've seen from your organization is threatening to kill other Pokemon who either have seen and known too much or disagree with your vision.
?: Tch! Kill him!
Another male voice spoke up.
?: But sir! What about Number 291?
?: Forget about him! Kill them both!
They began pointing their guns and started firing at Zamenza. However, none of the bullets even went as close to him or the Scrafty and he vanished without a trace only to reappear behind the army with one fist out. The entire platoon fell unconscious, with only wind breezing past the field. However, it wasn't over as another platoon came out of the metal hut, but with a Pokemon wearing a different colored cloak, suggesting that they were of a higher rank as the cloak was red.
The Pokemon wearing said red cloak in question was a Mightyena with an inverted color scheme different from a regular one, with his white mane significantly longer, a bushier tail and an eyepatch over his left eye. He also had a goatee under his chin, signifying his age.
Mightyena: ...What the hell happened here?
Zamenza: I assume you're the leader of this platoon?
Mightyena: I am. You knocked my soldiers out like it was nothing. However, this is where you rest old man. I do not take too kindly to intruders.
Zamenza: I assure you, I am not just an "old man". I'm just passing by to find my friend.
Mightyena: Really? Then prepare to die.
Zamenza: (...And there's the punchline…) I'm not going anywhere. If I have to, I'll stop this organization's wicked ways on the common Pokemon.
Mightyena: You are just like the old farts and society before you and so on and so forth. Obeying like a good lap dog without questioning authority.
Zamenza: Funny, that's how I see you right now.
The Mightyena growled at the remark. His face was now soured, as if it was offensive.
Mightyena: *frustration mark* Enough! I'll sink my teeth into you and crush your entire being! Nobody insults Commander Meat and gets away with it! Die!
Meat charged at Zamenza like a...wild dog would with quick speed. Of course, Zamenza was already aware of the attack and easily dodged to the side as he ran past him. However, he dug into the ground, this time making it harder for Zamenza to even detect his presence.
Zamenza: (...I can't sense him…?)
From behind, Meat emerged and intentionally bit Zamenza on his right hand before pouncing on him to the ground and bit his left hand for extra damage. Before he could deliver a jugular bite to Zamenza's neck, he placed a palm on Meat's snout and unleashed a shock wave of energy, forcing Meat to back away as he took the brunt of it. As Zamenza got up, both of his hands were bleeding from the bite marks he received, while Meat felt as if his body was being shaken up.
Zamenza: Ngh…! (...Goodness to Celebi that hurt…! I didn't know where he was…!)
Meat: Tch...You're not bad, old man...I underestimated you…
Zamenza: Taking a Force Palm to the face and withstanding it is something I'd commend, but at this point you're finished.
Meat: *chuckles* That's what you think. I'm just getting started.
He started howling to raise his vigor before he came at Zamenza with ferocious power. He was also moving despite the paralyzing effect.
Zamenza: (...What…?)
Meat then pounced on his stomach with such force that he was sent flying a few feet. Despite landing on his feet, Zamenza felt the impact in his gut.
Zamenza: *groans* (...In my years of training, I never thought that there was more to it than that...Pokemon capable of concealing their energy…)
Meat: Sorry to have put up such a facade, but I'm not slowing down any time soon. As for you Number 291, we'll be dragging you back, even as a corpse.
The Scrafty stood back with fear on his face, which was something that Zamenza didn't want to see.
Zamenza: So, you're willing to harm a comrade even if they're caught by us "common folk"?
Meat: Why not? We can't have them blabbing about our organization like a social Beautifly. It's the way of life.
Zamenza: ...I see. Then I'll have to take this seriously.
Meat: Hm?
Zamenza placed his spoons in his tail and dropped his arms to his sides as closed his eyes, calming his mind to which only Meat and his platoon could watch in confusion.
Meat: (...He's up to something…)
After the mind-calming session, Zamenza then opened his eyes as if he was ready this time. However, Meat wasn't having any of it and wanted things to end quickly.
Meat: Men! Fire!
They pointed their guns and fired straight at Zamenza. However, with a wave of his hand, the bullets stopped and dropped in place as if telekinetic force was at work.
Meat: What the hell?! What did you just do, you psychic bastard?!
Zamenza: ...I'm simply calm. That's all.
Meat: *growls* I wish your likes didn't exist. You all are tricky shits thinking that wits is the end all, be all!
Zamenza then clasped both hands to his right side, charging up a small glowing blue orb from between.
Meat: He can't counter all of us! Attack!
His platoon charged straight forward, whilst he was leading from behind. Despite this, Zamenza remained calm in the oncoming assault. Some of the platoon members fired moves such as Energy Ball and Shadow Ball at Zamenza, to which he jumped to avoid. However, this was what Meat was expecting as he took a great leap after him. But there was a problem. As he got to Zamenza, he disappeared from view.
Meat: What?! Where did he go?!
As Meat dropped down, Zamenza appeared below him with hands still to the side and charging the orb, taking him by complete surprise.
Meat: Impossible!
In two words, Zamenza shouted…
Zamenza: FOCUS BLAST!
At close range, he unleashed a massive, bullet-like wave of blue energy at Meat, resulting in a direct hit. It exploded as he let out a loud yelp from the hit and was sent flying in the air before landing on the ground in a weakened, whimpering state as his cloak was almost torn off. His fur was roughed up and blood trickled from his mouth. His platoon was shocked as their commander was beaten by an elderly Pokemon. They shouted…
?: Commander!
...As they rushed to his aid, with some of them pointing guns at Zamenza.
?: You monster! You'll pay for that!
Zamenza: Put those toys away. You know what happened earlier, so don't try it.
Meat: *groans painfully* ...How...How did this…happen…?
Zamenza: You said it yourself earlier. You underestimated this "old man".
Meat: ...This...couldn't be what I have to face…
Zamenza: ...Tell me something. What is your organization's goal? No...Rather, what's your goal?
Meat: ...My...goal…? I...I wanted to be a stronger Pokemon...for myself...The boss took me in when I was nothing more than a weak puppy, yet he saw something in me...I wanted to leave an impact on the world…
Zamenza: ...So, you're motivated by your boss's hospitality to further prove yourself loyal to him and to yourself. Sounds reasonable enough.
Meat: ...Why...are you doing this…? Trying to stop us…?
Zamenza: Because it's as I said before. I'm looking for my friend. I need you to tell me where the main base is. I'll leave quietly, but in exchange, take care of that Scrafty over there. Try to make a difference that doesn't involve someone else's life on the line…
Meat: *chuckles weakly* ...Fool...There's no stopping us Dirty Delinquents...We are everywhere and nowhere, and as soon as you get to the main headquarters, you'll be shot on the spot...They'll know when you're coming…
Zamenza: (...Hmm…? What does he mean…?) I'll stop anything that stands in my way.
Meat: *chuckles* ...Your funeral, then...Our bases are not viewable by the normal eyes alone…
...
Back where Unhaus was, he was flying amongst the skies for a good five miles for now. He knew just how dangerous it was to be alone and taking the organization head on without any means up support, so he never planned on doing that. He just wanted Eve back, knowing the horrors they did to her village and killing her parents. He saw an island with bases set up in clouds, and huts near it which meant that he found it.
Unhaus: (...Good...I've found the base...Don't worry Eve...I'm coming to rescue you…)
...